The president addressed the idiotic but dangerous bloviating of the Republicans and their leader, Donald Trump, about the absolute necessity of using the term, “radical Islamic terrorist.”
[...] What exactly would using this label accomplish? What exactly would it change? Would it make ISIL less committed to trying to kill Americans? Would it bring in more allies? Is there a military strategy that is served by this? The answer is, ‘None of the above.’ Calling a threat by a different name does not make it go away. This is a political distraction.
There has not been a moment when we weren’t able to pursue a strategy because we didn’t use the label “Radical Islam.”
He’s mad!
There is no magic to the phrase Radical Islam; it’s a political talking point. It’s a distraction.
See video below. Speech starts at 53:00 in, and Trump starts to get his well-deserved lessons at around 1:03:45
x YouTube VideoTwitter’s responses:
xPresident Obama denounced Donald Trump for his rhetoric after the Orlando shooting https://t.co/cJuaSAr4WJpic.twitter.com/cAEQLNOUOu
— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 14, 2016 xPresident Obama speaking about Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban:"This is not the America we want." https://t.co/3FD091JTrO
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) June 14, 2016If you aren't allowed on a plane, you shouldn't be allowed to buy a gun, @POTUS says https://t.co/J54RiATgwThttps://t.co/8en0kK22F0
— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 14, 2016 x.@POTUS Burns Republicans For "Radical Islam" Nonsense https://t.co/7fgJsscRwi //YOU MUST WATCH
— Karoli (@Karoli) June 14, 2016 xPresident Obama Slams Donald Trump Over His Anti-Muslim Rhetoric https://t.co/Nama351OPk
— Mother Jones (@MotherJones) June 14, 2016When the president asked, “Do Republicans officials agree with this?” I shouted, “Yes! Hit them!” From now on, let’s tie Donald Trump around the GOP’s neck. No more, “Donald Trump is advocating for a ban on all Muslims entering the country.” Instead, let’s say, “The Republicans and their leader Donald Trump are advocating for a ban on all Muslims entering the country.”
(Please note: The quotes were not taken from an official transcript. I am responsible for any mistakes in quotes.)
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